INDUSTRY FOCUS
RAIL
loGGinG rollinG stocK data
Spurious error messages, especially those from rolling-stock
subsystems, can be difficult and time consuming to diagnose. To overcome the issues, Siemens Rail turned to Impulse Embedded for a complete data logging solution
depot for efficient data analysis, Siemens Rail in Manchester realised there were a number of challenges. Not only were the project timescales very tight, but a complete solution would require railway approved logging hardware, software to extract and visualise the data, and a cellular communication system to get data into the cloud. To overcome these obstacles, Siemens turned
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to Impulse Embedded for a complete solution, allowing them to not only tighten timescales, but also reduce the overall engineering resource required from the Siemens team.
the project
After initial telephone conversations with Siemens engineers, Impulse and its software partner MPEC visited the Siemens depot in Manchester with a suite of hardware to better understand and qualify the project requirements. Impulse then worked with Siemens engineers to provide railway industry test and compliance information for the proposed hardware in order to accelerate the internal approval process required to fit the hardware on-board the rolling stock.
hen it decided to install a data logging system onto its rolling stock in order to transmit data in real-time back to its
The initial proof of concept was temporarily
fitted to the vehicle in order to test the combination of railway embedded box PC, 4G SIM, antennas, and isolated connection to on-board train systems. Impulse Embedded’s software partner MPEC had customised the software platform to read and translate various hex codes from the train sub-system which are picked up from Network Rail RFID tags along the Thameslink routes. The Impulse and MPEC team were able to demonstrate a railway compliant hardware, software and communication solution within two weeks of the initial telephone calls, which gave the Siemens project team confidence to move forward with a wider project rollout. As an IIoT and industrial solutions provider,
Impulse worked with two technology partners to deliver the solution within the tight deadlines required by Siemens. Axiomtek, a global leader in Embedded and Industrial computing solutions, manufactures EN50155 and EN45545 rolling stock approved computing hardware which Impulse builds and configures to specification in its UK facility. The software element of the project was developed by MPEC which quickly created a customised version of its remote condition monitoring software CENTRIX, a platform already well-established and proven in
the challenging applications of the rail industry.
a complete solution Impulse built, configured and tested the hardware and communication solution while the software was being customised. It then set up and installed the logging software, pre-registered and logged each 4G SIM against specific logging hardware/trainset and validated the software install on the cloud portal. This process vastly reduced configuration time for Siemens and simplified the installation process. Essentially, each logger was fitted to the correct vehicle and simply turned on, no further configuration required. As soon as power was applied, the system
acquired a cellular network connection, established communication with the CENTRIX cloud software and began data transmission, allowing Siemens engineers to access the information in real-time, or analyse various scenarios via a playback and analysis tool within the software, from anywhere in the world.
Impulse Embedded T: 01782 337800
www.impulse-embedded.co.uk
a data communication solution for berlin’s new u-bahn metro trains
Westermo has been awarded a contract worth more than five million euros by Stadler Deutschland (
www.stadlerrail.com) to supply data communications technology for a new fleet of trains for the Berlin U-bahn metro in Germany. The data networks will support mission-critical
systems on-board the two- and four-carriage trains, including the train control and management system (TCMS), and systems that ensure passenger comfort and safety. The contract includes data communication technology for 606 cars, with an option on an additional 894 cars. Westermo will provide up to 8,500 of its compact Viper Ethernet switches to manage data networks on
2 DESIGN SOLUTIONS OCTOBER 2021 0
the BVG J/JK-series underground rail carriages. The new carriages are designed to be very energy efficient, produce less noise and provide greater passenger comfort. Delivery of the Westermo products will commence at the beginning of 2022 and continue over a five-year period. “Westermo has many years’ experience of
successfully providing data communication technologies in mission-critical on-board rail applications,” said Jenny Sjödahl, CEO of Westermo. “One of our major strengths is our ability to provide networking solutions suitable
for both train management applications and systems for enhancing passenger experience – which was a key requirement for this project.”
Westermo
www.westermo.co.uk
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